Control apparatus



ATTORNEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 -N July 14, 1953 n. H. HILL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. e, 1947 s sheets-sheet 2 R. H. HILL CONTROL APPARATUS' July 14, 1953 Filed Jan. e, 1947 July 14, 1953 R. H. HILL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ROBERT H. HILL ATTORNEYS R. H. HILL CONTROL APPARATUS July 14, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 6, 1947 -ROBERT H.H|LL

ATTORNEYS July 14, 1953 R. H. HILL ATTORNEYS Patented July 14, 1953 CONTROL' APPARATUS vRobert H. Hill, Elgin, Ill., assignor to himself and f Harold Hoffman, Elgin, Ill., jointly Application January c, 1947, serial No. 720,329

1 claim, (o1. 29-42) This invention relates to automatic machines and particularly to the control .of the successive Operations of work-performing mechanisms y1n such automatic machines.

In automatic machines wherein a plurality of diierent work-performing mechanisms are operable in succession upon a workpiece, the matter of controlling and inter-relating the operations of the several work performing mechanisms has in every case constituted themost difficult and expensive problem involved in the production as well as the use of such machines. Resort has of course been had to direct or common drive of all of the several mechanisms of a machine so as to thereby attain the desired timed Operation of all the workmerforming mechanisms, while in other instances, a timing shaft or drum has been utif lined to intermittently and sequentially actuate c1' control the actuation of the various mechanisms, or to control the starting and stoppingv Of the operations or movements of the several mechanisms in sequence or other timed relation. In other instances, it has been customaryto afford a controlling connection from each of the respective mechanisms to the next mechanism that it is to be operated, so that When a particular mechanism completes or reaches a predetermined point in theoperation for which it is intended, it serres automatically to initiate the Operation of the next mechanism that is to be effective.

While such prior expedients have functioned satisfactorily in many instances where but one kind or size of work is to be produced, the control apparatus required in said prior machines has in every case been quite costly and has not been adaptable for economical and convenient use where changes in the kind, size or characteristics or" the work require changes and adjustments in the cycle of the machine and the sequence and extent of operation of the various work-performing mechanisms thereof, and to overcome such limitations in the control of automatic machines is the primary object of the present invention. An example of a situation where the problem of controlling the operationv of a plurality of work-performing mechanisms is encountered` is afforded in the machine tool art where a succession of operations, often including Aautomatic loading and unloading, are to be performed on each of a succession of worltpieces. Machine tools must, of course, be adaptable for use on different sizes and kinds Of workpieces and for different sequences and cycles of operation of the several work-performing mechanisms thereof, and to simplify and facilitate the attainment of vsuch characteristics in machine tools and similar machines is a further object of the present invention.

In certain types of machine tools such, for example, as an automatic turret lathe, a plurality of Operations are performed through movement of a single element of the machine, which in this case is the turret of the machine, and the turret must therefore move through different strokes with respect to the several operations that involve such turret movements. It is therefore another object of the present invention to enable sensing means to sense the completion of any one of such different strokes of such a movable machine element, and a more specific object is to enable a plurality of independent sensing means to be afforded in association with such a member of an automaticfmachine, and to control the effectiveness of the respective sensing means so that although such sensing means are operated in each cycle of'movement of the member with which they are allocated, such sensing means are effective in controlling the machine icycle only with respect to the particular machine cycles -to which such sensing means are allocated.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to simplify the set up of an automatic machine such as a machine tool, thereby to simplify the performance of different types of work on such machine tools, and another and related Object is to enable electrical sensing andv governing means to control automatic machines that are operated by power means that are either hydraulic or mechanical in character.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be'apparent from the following def scription and ,claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show va'preferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what I now considery to be the best mode vin which I have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claim.

In the drawings: f n

Fig. 1 is a planview of an automatic turret lathe embodying the features of the'present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through a rate control valve embodying certain features of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of an electrical switching mechanism embodied in the control mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view showing the right hand end of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and '7;

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmental views taken substantially along the line 9--9 of Fig. 8 and illustrating certain of the switch members in different relationship; and

Figs. 11 and 11A are views, which and when taken together, constitute a schematic wiring diagram of the control mechanism of the present invention.

For purposes of disclosure the invention has been herein illustrated as embodied in an automatic machine that constitutes an automatic turret lathe 2U having a supporting frame 2l afording an elevated bed 22 upon which the operatingr parts of the lathe are supported. The lathe embodies a rotatable spindle 25 that is rotatably supported in a horizontal position in a mounting bracket 26 that is secured in a stationary position on the top of the bed 22, and the spindle is rotatably supported in bearings 2l and 28 carried in the mounting bracket 26. A reversible drive motor 29 is mounted by means of extensions 30 connected to the bracket 25 so as to be disposed rearwardly of the spindle 25, and a multiple V-belt drive 3| extends from a pulley 32 on the motor shaft to a pulley 33 on the spindle 25 so that when the motor 29 is operated, the spindle will be operated in a direction that is determined a by the direction of rotation of the motor 29.

The spindle 25 as herein shown is hollow in character so that elongated workpieces such as closed-end cylinders W may be introduced endwise into the spindle from one end by a work feeding mechanism 35 and may be secured or clamped in a projecting relation within the other end of the spindle 25 so that the projecting end of the workpiece W may be operated upon by tools or the like carried on a tool carrying turret that is disposed on the bed 22 opposite the other end of the spindle 25.

The work feeding mechanism 35 as herein shown is relatively simple, this being possible because of the fact that the workpieces W are cylindrical in character and may be moved by gravity into position in alignment with the spindle 25. Thus as will be evident in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the work feeding mechanism 35 comprises a downwardly sloping chute 36 in which the workpieces W are disposed in a transverse relation so as to tend to roll down the chute 36 and into abutment with a locating wall 3'! disposed in such a position that the lowermost workpiece W will be aligned with the spindle 25. When a workpiece W is thus disposed against the abutment wall 31, it is free to move endwise out of the chute 36, it being noted that both side walls 36A of the chute are terminated in spaced relation to the abutment wall 3l so that such endwise movement of the lowermost workpiece W may be effected. For the purpose of imparting such end- Wise movement to the lowermost workpiece W, means are afforded for engagement with the left hand end of such workpiece as will be evident in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and in the present instance, such actuating means are in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylindrical device 38, the cylinder of which is mounted in a fixed position on a bracket 36B which also supports the work supply chute 36. The piston and cylinder device 38 has a piston 38A from which a piston rod 38B extends through one end of the cylinder, and an abutment head 33 on the end of the piston rod 38B is adapted to engage the adjacent end of the lowermost workpiece W to. move the workpiece endwise out of the chute 36 and into the adjacent end of the aligned spindle 25.

The workpieces W that are thus moved in succession from the lower end of the chute 36 are advanced first into a guide sleeve 42 within the adjacent end of the spindle 25, and are then advanced into a split clamping sleeve 43 that is slidably disposed within the other or right hand end of the spindle 25 as will be evident in Fig. 2. On its projecting or right hand end, the split sleeve 43 has a tapered head portion 43H that tapers to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, and this projecting head portion 43H is disposed within a cam sleeve 44 that is xed on the spindle 25 against endwise displacement relative to the spindle. Thus when the sleeve 43 is shifted to the right, Fig. 2, the tapered head 43H engages the internally tapered sleeve 44 so as to compress the right hand ends of the tapered sleeve upon the workpiece W that is disposed within the end or heading portion 43H of the sleeve 43. The sleeve 43 thus constitutes a clamping means for securing the right hand workpiece W, Fig. 2, in the spindle 25 so that such workpiece will be rotated with the spindle and will be held against longitudinal displacement.

The work clamping means are arranged for operation by power means, and to enable this to be accomplished a hub 45 xed on the spindle 25 has a pair of bell cranks 46 pivoted thereon so that one arm of each bell crank extends readily inwardly and is engaged with a slot in the left hand end portion, Fig. 2, of the clamping sleeve 43. When the clamping sleeve 43 is to be operated to clamp a workpiece, the bell cranks 46 are rocked so that their exposed arms are moved outwardly or away from the axis of the spindle 25, and this is effected by a slidable clamping collar 41 that is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on the spindle 25 and which has connecting links 48 pivoted thereon and extended downwardly to pivotal connections on the outer ends of the arms or bell cranks 46. The collar 41 has an annular groove 41A formed therein. and an-operating yoke 50 has rollers or studs 5| on its opposite arms that are disposed within the groove 41A. The yoke 53 is pivoted at 52 cn the mounting bracket 26, and an arm 50A extends downwardly through the base of the bracket 26 for connection to power actuating means. In the present instance such power actuated means comprises a piston and cylinder device 55, and one end of the cylinder is pivoted at 56 to a downwardly projecting lug 56A formed on the base of the bracket 26 and extending downwardly through a slot in the bed 22. The piston and cylinder device has a piston 55A from which a piston rod 55B extends through the opposite end of the cylinder, and the end of the piston 55B is connected at 55C to the lower end of the arm 50A. Thus when the clamping sleeve 43 is to be operated to clamp a workpiece W, the piston 55A is forced to the right to the position shown in Fig. 2, while to release a workpiece W, the piston 55A is forced to the left from the position shown in Fig. 2, and it will be observed that in a clamping movement the links 48 are moved into positions substantially at right angles to the axis ofthe spindle so as to hold the parts in work clamping relation until the sleeve lllr is again moved to the right.

The workpiece W that is clamped in a projecting relation adjacent the right hand spindle 25 is adapted to be operated by a plurality of tools T-I, T-2 andy T-3 that are mounted'on the turret r slide 40 for shifting movement selectively into alignment with the workpiece W. Such selective setting of the tools is accomplishedby transverse shifting movement of the vturret or cross slide 40 and for this purpose, the cross slide is mounted on transverse ways 58 thatare afforded upon a longitudinally reciprocable carriage 60. The carriage 60 is in turn mounted for longitudinal reciprocation parallel to the' axis of the spindle 25 on supporting and guiding ways 6|, and the transverse shifting movements of the cross slide 40 are accomplished when the carriage 69 is in a withdrawn or right hand position as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 oi the drawing. As herein shown the several tools T-l, T-Z and T-3 are supported on individual mounting blocks 63 which are secured in place on the slide 4B by means including clamping bolts 65, and nuts 66 that are disposed in an undercut T-slot El formed in the cross slide parallel to its path of reciprocating movement.k slide 40 also carries a stop bar S which is similarly mounted in a mounting block 53 as will be evident in Figs. 1 and 2, and the stop bar S is arranged in one position of the slide 40 to be aligned with the axis of the spindle 25, and with this arrangement, the stop bar S acts as an abutment against which the leading one of aseries of workpieces W may be moved in the course of the advancing movement of they/Ork feeding plunger 39. This serves to accurately position the workpiece in a longitudinal sense with respect to the spindle as well as the bed and other elements of the machine.

The ways 5| upon which the carriage 6!) is slidably supported areformed on ak mounting casting 69 that is secured to the bed`22 near the right hand end thereof, and means arey alTorded upon the casting 59 for imparting longitudinal movements to the carriage BQ. In the form herein illustrated, such actuating means take the form of a cylinder 'l0 having a piston lilA'reciprocable therein. The cylinder 7l! is mounted in a xed position on the casting BS and a piston rod 'HiB extends from the piston 10A through the left hand end of the cylinder l@ and is connected to the carriage 6@ so that by operation of the piston and cylinder device, the carriage 60 may be reciprocated toward and away from the workpiece W.

The cross slide 49 is also arranged to be reciprocated by the power means and as'herein shown such power means are afforded by a hydraulic cylinder 'l5 that is mounted on a rigid rearward extension 'lil that is xed on the carriage 60. The cylinder has a piston 15A that is reciprocable therein, and a piston rod 15B is extended forwardly from the piston 15A and is connected at its forward end to the slide 4l). Thus by operation of the piston and cylinder device l5, the slide dil may be reciprocated to dispose the stop S or any selected one of the tools T in alignment with the spindle 25,

The hydraulic system that is utilized for supplying hydraulic iluid to the several piston and cylinder devices hereinbefore described includes The turret or cross i 6. a tank 80 that is disposed on the frame`2| of the machine near the floor and belowy the location at which the carriage is disposed, and the frame 2| also carries a motor M-2 which drives a pressure pump 82. The pump 82 is connected by aninlet pipe 83 to the'tank 8D adjacent the bottom wall thereof, and the -high pressure output of the pump 82v is discharged to an outlet pipe 84 which extends through one end of the tank and longitudinally within the upper portion of the tank 80 so as to constitute a pressure header from which high pressure hydraulic liquid may be withdrawn as required,` The header has'a pressure relief valve 85 associated therewith in a conventional manner so that excess hydraulic liquidsupplied by the pump 82 will be discharged back into the tank 80. i

The hydraulic liquid under pressure is withdrawn from the pressure header 84 and is transmitted yto any selected one of the hydraulic cylnders under control of a plurality of similar solenoid operated valves 85-I to kB15-J3, each such solenoid operated valve 86 having an actuating coil 8'! which when energized serves to open the valve so as to allow high pressure hydraulic liquid to *pass through'the pipe in which such valve is disposed. Thus with respect to the solenoid operated valve 86-I, it may be observed that an inlet pipe 8f3-I is connected to the pressure header 84 fromthe inlet end of the valve 8B-I, while anv outlet Apipe 89-.1 is extended from the outlet side of the valve'-l to the Aforward end of the cylinder '15. When the solenoid valve 86-I is operated due to energization of its coil 81| pres- 43, thereby to vcause rearward movement of the slide 40. When however the valve'BS-l is allowed to close, the pipe'BS-I is placed in communication with a discharge youtlet 9D-l so that the liquid from the forward end 0fV the cylinder l5 may he discharged back into the tank 80. Allfof ther valves 86 yhave similar ydischarge or returny connections 9U,

` The valve 86-2 is similarly connected onr its inlet side to the header 84 by an inlet pipe 88-2, while an outlet pipe 89-2 extends from the outlet side of this valve to the rear end of the cylinder 'l5 so that when the valve 86-2 is opened, the turret or slide 40 will be moved in a forward direction.

The valve 86-3 is connected by a pipe 88-3 to the header 84, while a pipe. 89-3 extends from the other side of the valve 86-3 to the left hand end of the work feeding cylinder 38 so that when the valve 86-3 is opened, the work advancing plunger 39 will'be moved in a right hand. or Work advancingdirection. lThe valve 86-4 has its inlet sideconnected by apipe 88-4 to the header 84, and a pipeS-Jl extends from the 'other side of the valve 86-4 to the right hand vend of the cylinder 38 so that when the valve 86-.4 is opened, the work advancing plunger 39 will be moved to the left in a return direction. The valve 86-5 is similarly connected by a pipe 88-5 to the pressure headery 84, and a-pipe 89-5 connects the other side of this valve to the -left hand end voi" the cylinder 55 so that when the valve 86-5 is opened, the jaws of the spindle 25 will be clamped so as to iix the leading workpiece W in position on the spindle. The valve 86-6 is connected by a pipe 88-6 to the header 84, and a pipe 8.9-6 connects the other side of this valve to the right hand end of the cylinder 85, and

hence when the valve 86-6 is opened, the Work clamping jaws of the spindle 25 will be released. The valve 85-1 is connected by a pipe 88-1 to the pressure header 84 and a pipe 89-1 connects the other end of the valve 86-1 to the left hand end of the cylinder 10, and hence when the valve 86-1 is opened the carriage 00 will be moved to the right or in a return direction. A pipe 88-8 connects the header 84 to the inlet of the valve 864, while a pipe 89-8 connects the output of the valve 86-8 to a conduit 89-9 which is connected with the right hand end of the cylinder 10. The pipe 89-8 includes a check Valve 92 which allows pressure liquid to flow in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 11A from the valve 86-8 to the pipe or conduit 89-9, and the function of this check valve 92 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The pipe 89-9 is connected to the output side of the solenoid operated valve 80-9, while the inlet side of the valve 86-9 is connected by a pipe 93 with the outlet side of a rate-control valve 95, the inlet side of which is connected by pipe 88-9 to the header 84.

When the carriage 60 is being operated in some conditions, it is desirable to limit the pressure or force that may be applied thereto, and for this reason the pipes 89-1 and 89-8 have low pressure relief valves 91. and 98 associated respectively therewith, and the outlet sides of the relief valves 91 and 98 are connected with a return pipe 99 so that hydraulic liquid that is passed through either of these valves 91 or 98 will be returned to the tank 80 as indicated in Fig. 11A of the drawings.

Since hydraulic liquid is passed through the check valve 92 to the pipe 89-9 at times when the valve 86-9 is in its normal position, the return outlet 90-9 of this valve has a low pressure relief valve associated therewith so that during rapid approach movement of the carriage 60, hydraulic liquid will not be lost through the return 90-9. The check valve 92 serves of course to prevent loss of high pressure liquid that is furnished to the pipe 89-9 through the valve 89-9 and the rate control valve 95.

The rate control valve 95 as constructed under the present invention is arranged so that the desired rate of supply of hydraulic liquid through this valve is substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid, and the structure whereby this advantageous result is attained is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings. Thus the rate control valve 95 has a valve body 95B that is formed as a casting, and a flanged end cap |02 is secured upon the left hand end of the valve body as viewed in Fig. 3 by means including clamping bolts |03 that extend through suitable flanges formed on the body95B and the cap |02. The inlet pipe 88-9 is threaded into an inlet passage |05 that is lformed transversely into the body 95B, and this inlet passage |05 terminates in an annular distributing passage |06 that is formed about and concentric with a guide bore |01 which intersects with the inlet passage |05. The guide bore |01 is closed at its right hand end, Fig. 3, by a cap |08, while at its left hand end this bore |01 opens into an enlarged cylindrical chamber ||0 that is formed as a counter bore into the left hand end of the valve body 95B, the chamber I0 being concentric with the guide bore |01. Within the guide bore |01, an elongated tubular valve member ||2 is mounted for sliding movement so as to act as a valve member for governing the effective valve opening that is afforded between the inlet passage |05 and the bore ||2B of the valve member ||2. Thus as will be evident in Fig. 3 of the drawings, a spring ||3 is mounted between the cap |08 and adjacent right hand end of the valve member l2 tending to move the valve member in a left hand or valve opening direction. When the valve member ||2 is moved to the right against the action of the spring ||3, the outer annular edge of the right hand end of the valve member approaches the edge defined by the intersection of the bore |01 with the right hand edge of the annular chamber |06 and thus the effective opening through which liquid may flow from the annular chamber |06 into the bore |01 is reduced in such movement of the valve member.

The valve member ||2 is automatically actuated in response to measurment of the ow through the valve 95, and in accomplishing such automatic actuation of the valve member ||2, a piston I4 is afforded on the left hand end of the valve member so as to be disposed Within the chamber ||0. The liquid from the bore |01 passes through the central bore |2B of the valve member and enters into a recessed chamber formed in the inner face of the end cap |02, and this chamber ||6 has a plurality of arcuate walls I1 formed therein which limit the left hand or opening movement of the valve member I2, such limiting action being obtained by abutment of the piston ||4 with the stops or abutments ||1. The liquid that flows through the passage ||2B and into the chamber passes through spaces ||1A between abutments ||1 and then ilows to metering means which are eiective to control and. adjust the valve member ||2. In affording such metering means, a passage ||8 is extended from the chamber ||6 as a, bore through the left hand face of the body B, and this bore ||8 terminates in a conical inner end portion ||9. In alignment with the bore ||8, a conical bore |20 is extended inwardly from the right hand end of the body 95B, and this bore |20 meets the conical bore ||9 in such a way as to define a venturi affording a relatively short and small metering orice |25. Thus the liquid will flow from the chamber through the bores ||8 and ||9 and the metering orifice |25, and will then pass through the passage |20 which leads to an outlet opening |26 to which the outlet pipe 93 is connected. Since it is desirable that the orifice |25 be adjustable in so far as its effective area may be concerned, a tapered metering pin |28 is extended axially into position within the conical bore |20, and for this purpose a mounting fitting |29 and a packing gland |30 are associated with the metering pin |28 at the outer or right hand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 3. The metering pin |28 has a screw threaded engagement with the tting |29 so as to be axially adjustable for varying the effective area of the orifice or restriction |25.

The pressure on the inlet side of the orifice |25 is of course applied to the left hand end of the piston ||4 through the chamber ||6, while the pressure at the other or outlet side of the orifice |25 is applied to the right hand face of the piston ||4. Such application of the lower pressure to the right hand side or face of the piston ||4 is accomplished by a passage |30 which is formed as a milled slot or saw kerf extended from the chamber |0 so as to intersect the tapered bore |20 just to the right of its point of intersection with the tapered bore ||9, or in other words, just to the right of the restriction or throat |25.

With the structure that lis thus alorded in the rate control valve 95,7the rate of flow through the valve is rendered substantially independent of the viscosity` of the liquid.` This result is based upon the fact that the velocity of a liquid through a properly designed nozzle is a function of the pressure drop across the discharge orice of the nozzle, and upon the ffurther fact that if the nozzle is short, the velocity of the iiow is practically independent of the viscosity of the fluid. Thus it will be observed that the location of the passage |30 in such a way as to measure the low pressure almost exactly lat the throat |25 between the two passages I I9 and |20 aiords a pressure differential measurement that is substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid, and hence the aforesaid accuracy of control valve |I2 is attained. This result is attained without objectionable pressure loss, since the tapered passage |20 results in recovery of substantially the entire pressure drop which is experienced across the throat |25. v

The power actuating means that arethus afforded for 'the various operating mechanisms of the machine may be controlled manually through a manual control switch mechanism |35,y or may be controlled automatically through the useof automatic control mechanism that is housed within a control casing |40 disposed at the right hand end. of the machine frame 2| asy viewed in Figs. l and 2 of thedrawings. The automatic control of the machine is attained through the cooperative action of a main sequence control |40 that is shown in detail in Figs. 6 to l0 and a plurality oi interrelated relays that are illustrated in Fig. 1l of the drawings. Thusa starting relay |42 and a reversing relay |44 are provided for governing the main drive motor 29, and these relays act through the medium of a starting contactor |45 which may be actuated to cause the motor 29 to operate in either forward or reverse directions. A stepping relay |50 is also provided for cooperation withv the other mechanism -in attaining the 1desired automatic operation of the machine. n

i The motors 29 and M-2 rare three phase motors that are energized from a three phase power source |I, this power source affording line wires LI, L2 and L3. The line wires L|, L2 andl L3 are connected directly to the motor M-2 so that this motor of the hydraulic system is vconstantly driven so long as power is supplied 'from the source |5I. Thus wires ISI, |62 and |63 are extended respectively from the line wires LI, L2 and L3 to the motor M-2, and branch leads vare conventionally extended from the wires |6I, |62 and |63 to the contactor |45 for energizing the drive motor 29. The contactor |45 has a pair of operating coils I45F and |45R which when energized serve to establish connections in either forward or reverse directions for the motor 29 and the operation of such reversing contactor mechanism |45 per se is of course conventional in character. The coil |451 is connected by wires |66, |61 and |68 to the wire |6| which extends from the line wire LI, while a wire |69 extends from the other end of the coil |45F to the stationary contact I2IL of the starting relay |42. The other or movable contact |42| of the relay |132 is connected by the wire` |10 to the wire |62 which is in turn connected to the line wire L2, and hence when the relay |42 is energized, the coil |45F of the contactor |45will be energized and the motor 29 will be driven ina forward direction. Similarly, awirelll extends switches that are identified in from the wire |61 to one end ofthe coil I 45R. while a wire |12 extends to a lower contact |44- K IL of the reversing relay |44. The related movable contact |44-I is connected by a` Wire |13 to a wire |10 so that when therelay |44 isennormally closed or engaged` with the contact |44-l, and this relayalso has a second movable contacty |44-2 which is normally spaced from alower contact I44-2L, and the function of these additional contacts will be explained in detail hereinafter. The stepping relay |50 has an `opm erating coil |500, and also' has movable con tacts |50| and |5-U and the contact |5eU`is adapted to be engaged with a lower 'stationary contact l|50-2L when the operating coil |50C is energized. The contact |50-I is normally engaged with an upper stationary contact |50| U, but when the coil |50C is energized, the contact |50-I is 'engaged with ka lower contact |50-|L.

, `The connections and functions of these additional contacts will be described in detail hereinafter.

me Contact 15u-IU, une mpvame Contact lso-I y being connected by ai wire |82 to the wire |13,

thus -to establish connection through the wires mand lszto the .une wire L2; when the ma# chine is to be controlled manually by the switch mechanism |35, the switch arm is shifted into contact with the contact |80M, and the con` tact ISM is connected in parallel by a wire |83 to one Contact of each of nine push button The push buttonswitches ias-l' 'to lss-s are allocated respectively to the control of the solenoid valves BG-I to 86-9, and in this respect, it should be observed that the other side of the circuit is connected with one terminal of each of the operating coils 81`| to 81-9 by a wire |84 extended from the wire I6| as shown in Fig. 171A of the' drawings. The other terminals of the coils 81| to 81-9 are connected by wires 85| to |85-9 with the other contacts of the respective switches I35| to |35-9. Hence by closure of any selected one of the switches 35, the related operating coil 'Imay be energized thereby to open the related valve 80, and when this is done, hydraulic liquid will be furnished in the desired wayto the related one of operating mechanisms of the machine.

In accordance with theA present invention, means are associated with each of the operative mechanisms of the machine for sensing the come pletion of the Adesired operation or cycle thereof or for sensing any critical positioning or point inthe cycle thereof at which a controlling action' is desired, and the control unit |40 andthe relays |42, |44 and |50 cooperate in attainingthe desired sequence or relation of operations ofthe several'operative mechanisms of the machine. Considered broadly, the control unit I40'and the stepping relay |50 cooperate in such `a way as 'to enable operations ofthe means or mechanism of the lmachine `to be stopped immediately by the proper or related sensing means, while at the lsame time such sensing means are effective to reset the-controlunit |40 to :initiate the operation Fig. l1 as switches A.

of the operative mechanism that is to be next effective and to condition the related sensing means that are to be effective to terminate such succeeding operation.

In attaining such controlling action, the control unit |40 is provided with a power control section |40A and a sensing control section |40B, Figs. 7 and 11, and in the form herein shown, the control mechanism is in the form of a stepping switch so that the power control section |40A and the sensing control section |40B constitute electrically independent switching sections that are mechanically interrelated so that concurrent setting movements of the two sections may be attained. The unit |40 as shown in detail in Figs. 6 to 10 comprises an elongated casting |90 that is arranged to afford three parallel but vertically spaced bearing sleeves |9|, the middle one of these bearing sleeves being concealed behind other elements as illustrated in the drawings. A shaft |92A disposed in the upper one of the bearing sleeves is arranged to support a gear |93A on the left hand face of the bearing casting as viewed in Fig. 7, while a stub shaft |92B in the lower one of the three bearing sleeves is arranged to support a gear |93B of the same size on the left hand face of the bearing castingyand between the two gears |93A and |93B a shaft |92C supports an intermediate drive gear |93C vwhich is meshed with the two gears |93A and |93B. On g the right hand end of the shaft |92C, a ratchet wheel |94 is secured so that by actuation of the ratchet wheel |94, the drive gear |93C may be rotated in a clockwise direction, Fig. 6, thereby to rotate the two gears |93A and |93B in unison and n both in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 6. In attaining such actuation of the shaft |92C, a rocking lever |95 is pivoted on the shaft |92C and is urged in a clockwise direction, Fig. 8, to a home position by a spring |96 which acts between the lever |95 and an anchoring screw ISGS fixed on the casting |90. A spring pressed pawl |96P is mounted on the rocking lever |95P, and when the rocking lever |95 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 8, against the action of its spring |96, the pawl |95P` acts on the ratchet wheel |94 to impart an advancing or indexing movement to the shaft |92C, and a spring pressed pawl |94P mounted on the casting |90 serves to hold the ratchet wheel |94 against reverse 01 clockwise movement as viewed in Fig. 8.

The rocking lever |95 is actuated by a solenoid |91 that is mounted on one edge of the bearing casting |90, and a pin and slot connection |98 is afforded between the armature of the solenoid |91 and the adjacent or left hand end of the rocking bar |95 as viewed in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The gears |93A and |93B serve respectively to support movable switch arms 200A and 200B, which are connected to such gears by cap screws |C, and it is through the selective setting of these switch arms in unison that the desired controlling action is attained. Thus it will be observed that an insulating conta-ct supporting plate 20| is secured by screws 202 on mounting lugs 203 that are afforded on the mounting casting |90, and this plate is supported opposite and in spaced relation to the two gears I93A and |9313. The switch arm 200A has one end thereof disposed so as to be coaxial with the shaft |92A, and a contact 204A on this arm is arranged to yieldingly engage a center contact 205A that is mounted on the insulating plate 20|. The other end of the switch arm 200A has a contact 206A formed thereon which is adapted in the rotative movement of the gear I93A to beV engaged succesively with an annular series of contacts that are shown in Figs. 6, '7 and 11, such series of contacts being mounted on the insulating plate 20| concentric with the axis of the gear 93A and being identified as contacts AI to A24 inclusive. With respect to the switch arm 200B, a similar central contact 205B is afforded on the insulating plate 20 and an annular series of contacts BI to B24 are also provided on the insulating plate 20| so that in the course of rotation of the gear |93B, the circuit will be extended from the central contact 205B successively to the contacts BI to B24.

In the operation of the stepping switch or control unit |40, the desired timing and full stroke action is attained in this unit through the use of a pair of switches 208 and 209 which are arranged to be operated by the rocking arm |95. Thus the switch 203 has the spring Contact arms 208U and 2081.. thereof secured on the insulating plate 20| by screws 2 |0, and the upper blade 208U of this switch is extended so as to lie over and in the path of an insulating block 2|| that is secured on the right hand end of the arm |95 as viewed in Fig. 8. The other or lower switch 209 is of the normally open type and has upper and lower blades 209U and 209L thereof secured in position on the insulating plate 20| by similar screws 2|0, and this switch 209 is so disposed that the upper blade thereof lies in the path of the lower edge of the insulating block 2 l I. Thus when the spring |96 shifts the arm 295 to its rest positiony the switch 209 will be closed, while at this same time the switch 208 will also be closed. When the solenoid |91 is energized so as to impart stepping or indexing movement to the switch elements, the initial movement of the arm |95 will allow the switch 209 to open, while at the end of the switch advancing stroke of the arm |95, the switch 208 will be opened. When the solenoid |91 is deenergized so as to allow the rocking arm |95 to return to its rest position, the switch 208 will first Ibe allowed to close and when the rocking arm |95 reaches its rest position, the switch 209 will also be closed. This sequence of opening and closing movements of the switches 208 and 209 is utilized in obtainingr tti desired controlling action of the present strucure.

In associating the control mechanism with the machine, sensing means are afforded with respect to each of the elements that are operated or moved so that the attainment of a certain position or condition in such elements or operative mechanisms may be sensed. Thus with respect to the carriage 60, a moving contact 220 is supported on the carriage by means of a supporting rod 22| which is fixed at its left hand end to an upstanding arm 222 that is mounted on the carriage 60. The contact 220 is arranged in the movement of the carriage S0 to be engaged with a plurality of adjustable sensing contacts 225-L 25-2, 225-3, and these adjustable contacts are supported in a bracket 225 by means of supporting rods 221 and adjusting screw shafts 228 so that these contacts may be adjusted longitudinally of the path of movement of the carriage 60. It will be evident in Fig. l of the drawings that the several contacts 225 are spaced laterally from each other, and this affords the desired clearance so that these contacts may be readily adjusted, and the contact 220 is relatively wide as shown in Fig. 1 so that it may engage any one of the contacts 225.

With respect to the cross slide or turret 40,

13 a similar movable contact 230 is mounted on an arm 23| which in turn is supported by a connection at one end thereof onV the rear end of the cross slide 40. The -contact 230 is adapted for cooperation with a plurality of adjustable sensing -contacts 23S-I, 235-2, 235-3, 235-4@ and 235-5, and in respect to this set of sensing contacts, it will be observed that all such contacts are mounted on a single supporting bar 23's` that is extended between supporting brackets 231 mounted on the cylinder 15 and are held in adjusted position on the rod by suitable 'set screws. Thus in the course ofthe longitudinal movement of the cross slide 40, the contact 230 will be en'- gaged successively with the several sensing con-` tacts 235, and these contacts 235 are set along the bar 23B Iso as to correspond with the loca-v tions ofthe tools on the cross slide 40.

'I'he work loading or feeding cylinder 38 also has a movable contact 250' mounted thereon by means of a longitudinally extending rod 25| which is in turn supported on the work engaging plunger 39 by a bracket 252. ,of the longitudinal movements of the piston 38A, the contact 259 is arranged to engage adjustable sensing contacts Z55-I and 255-2 `in succession, and these contacts are supported upon a longitudinal bar 255 so as to be adjustable longitudi-` nally thereon. The bar 256 is supported in brackets 251 which are mounted on the top of the cylinder 38.

The sensing means as thusdescribed are in each instance in the nature of switches having one stationary contact and another contact movable with the movable element of the mechanism with which they are associated, |but it will be recognized that different kinds of sensing means may be aiforded. Thus with respect to the work feeding means, it has been pointed out that the forward stroke of the work feeding i means brings the leading end of the leading workpiece W into abutment with the stop S, and to sense this condition, means are afforded that are responsive to an increase of pressure in the rear or left hand end of the cylinder 38 whenthe movement of the work feeding plunger 39 is stopped. Thus as shown in Fig. 11A of the drawings, the pipe 89-3 has a branch 89-3B connected thereto, and this branch is connected to a pressure operated switch 260. The switch 290 has a movable contact 260C that is grounded at 28| and it also has a stationary contact 2898. The switch 260 isnormally opened, and is closed when an abnormal pressure is built up in the pipe 89-3. v.

The lcompletion of the movements of the work clamping piston 55A are in each instance detected by pressure operated switches. Thus a pressure operated switch 210 having a stationary contact 210s and the movable contact 210C is connected by a pipe 89-5B to the pipe 89-5. The switch 210 has the contact 210C thereof grounded at 2| and this switch is normally opened and is arranged to be closed by abnormal pressure in the pipe 89-5. A similar switch 280 having a stationary contact 280s and the movable contact 280C is connected by a pipe 89-6B to the pipe 89-6, and the contact 280C is grounded at 28|. The switch 280 is also of the normally open type and is arranged to be closed when an abnormal pressure is present in the pipe 89-5.

In affording the desired actuating and control connections, it will be observed that certain of such connections are permanent in character, While others are established in accordance with the desired cycle of operation of the machine.

In the course 285 is extended to the movable contact |44-2 of the reversing relay |44. Anotherwire 281 is extended from 'the'wire 285 to a pair of branch leads 288 and 289 which extend respectively to one contact of each of the switches 208 and 209. A wire 290 extends from the other contact of the switch 208 to the-contact |50-2L of the stepping relay |50, while a wire29l extends from the other contact of the switch 290 to the contact 205B of the sensing control section |40B of the stepping relay |40.

i A wire 294 is extended from the other terminal of the secondary 'iF-2, and wires 295 and r296 are extended in series from the wire 294 to one terminal of the coil |42C of the relay. A wire 291 is extended from the wire 294 and has branch leads 298 and 299 `extended respectively to the Coils IMC and |50-C.

The other end of the coil |50Cris grounded at- 300, while the Contact 50-2U is grounded at 30|, but it will be observed that the other terminals of the coils |42C and |440 arefconnected selectively to different stations on the control mechanism |40 in accordance withthe cycle of machine operation that is desired, and this will be described in further detail hereinafter. The opminal of the solenoid |91 to the contact'l50-IL of the stepping relay |50. Another permanent connection that is employed is afforded by a wire 301 that extends from the contact |A to the contact 205A so that when the switch|80 is engaged with the contact |80A, current -will be supplied to thecontact 205A. It will be observed that the several pressure switches 260, 210 and 280 are in each instance grounded from one contact thereof, andfsimilar grounded connections are afforded for the contacts 220, 230 and 250, but such grounded connections are through the machine frame and have not been specifically indicated in `Fig. 11 of thedrawings.

With the structure that has thus been described, thevvarlous operating mechanisms of the machine may be automatically operated in the desired sequence and to the' desired extent merely through establishinent of selective connections between the various sensing elements and the sensing control section MDB of the steppingv relay, and by the establishment of related connections between the power control section |40A 'of the stepped relay and the power controlvalves 8S. Broadly considered, such automatic action or operation of the machine is attained by analyzing the cycle of operations that is desired with respect to the various operating mechanisms of the machine. Such analysis of the cycle of operations of the machine may of course stai-tat any point in the cycle, and for illustrative purposes, the analysis of a particular cycle of the machine herein illustrated will be started with the leading workpiece disposed in position in the spindle 25, as shown in Fig. 2, but with the work clamping jaws 43H in their released relation. As a further element in such analysis, it must be assumed that the previous operation of the machine will have caused the stepping switch |40 to have been operated so as to dispose the arms 200A and 200B thereof in the position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

`When the work is in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the leading end thereof in contact with the stop S, it is necessary to operate the clamping means of the spindle 25 and for this purpose, a wire 3|0 is extended from the contact A-I of the Vpower control section |40A to the wire IBS-5, thereby to afford an energizing circuit for the solenoid valve 86-5. This valve 88-5 is therefore opened and hydraulic fluid is fed to the left hand end of the clamping cylinder 55. The clamps are thereby engaged with the workpiece, and when the clamping movement has been completed, the pressure increase in the pipe 89-5 will cause the pressure switch 210 to be closed. In order that thel pressure switch 210 may under such circumstances he effective to cause the next machine operation to be instituted, a wire 3|| is extended from the Contact B-I of the stepping switch so that a sensing circuit is conditioned through the Contact B-I to the switch 210 at the time when the clamping operation is initiated.

Considering` more specifically the action of the various elements in initiating and terminating the operation of the work clamping mechanism, it should be observed that the energizing circuit for the power control side or section I40A of the control mechanismis extended from the line wire L2 through the wire |10, the wire |82, the contact |50-I, the contact |50-IU and the wire |8| to the switch |80, while the circuit is extended from the switch |80 through the wire 301, the contact 205A, the switch arm 200A, the contact AI, and the Wires 3|0 and |85-5 to one terminal of the relay coil 81-5, and the other side of the circuit is extended through the wire |84 and the wire |6|fto the lin-e wire LI. Thus the energizing circuit for the solenoid Valve 86-5 extends not only through the contact Al, but also through the contact |50-IU of the stepping relay |50 so that such circuit will be immediately broken when the stepping relay |50 is energized. With this arrangement, the subsequent stepping io'vement. of the contact arms of the stepping relay |40 takes place while there is no current now through the contacts of the stepping switch.

The circuit to the sensing switch 210 is of course grounded at 2li, and this circuit extends through the wire 31| and the contacts Bl and 205B to the wire 29%. The wire 23| is of course connected to the switch 209 which at this time is closed, and the circuit extends from the switch 209 through the wires 289, 281 and 285 to one side of the secondary T-2. Insofar as the relay |50 is concerned, the circuit from the other side of the secondary T-2 is extended by the wires 294, 291 and 299 to one terminal of the operating coil |500 of this relay, and the other side or terminal of the operating coil is grounded. Thus when the sensing switch 210 is closed, the stepping relay |50 will be energized and such operation of the relay accomplishes several functions. The rst of these functions may be considered as the closure of the circuit from ground at 30| through the contact |50-2L and the wire 290 to the switch 208, thereby to afford a shunt circuit around the switch 209 to one terminal of the secondary T-2, this shunt circuit aording a holding circuit for the stepping relay |50 until such time as the actuating arm |95 of the stepping switch opens the switch 208. The second function accomplished upon actuation of the relay |50 is the immediate breaking of the energizing circuit to the solenoid valve 86-5, this being accomplished because of the disengagement oi the relay contact |50-I from the upper contact |50-IU. The third function that may be attributed to the stepping relay |50 is accomplished when the contact |50-I engages the contact |50- IL, since this extends circuit from the line wire L2 and through the wire 305 to the operating solenoid |91 of the stepping relay. Thus the stepping relay will be operated so as to shift the contact arms 200A and 200B thereof to the next station wherein the arm 200A will be in contact with the Contact A2 and the arm 200B will be in engagement with the contact B2. At the end of the clockwise rocking movement of the actuating arm |95 of the stepping switch as viewed in Fig ll, the switch 203 will be opened, thereby to break the holding circuit for the stepping relay |50 and allow the same to resume its normal or released position. When this occurs the contact arms 200A and 200B of the stepping switch will be disposed in their No. 2 position so that the circuit that is extended from the contact A2 will immediately be energized upon release of the stepping relay |59, and the power control connection from the contact A2 will immediately take effect.

With respect to the circuit from the contact B2, the effectiveness is established when the return movement or" the actuating arm |95 serves to close the switch |99, which occurs promptly upon deenergization of the solenoid |91.

At the time when the workpiece W is thus clamped in position on the spindle 25, the carriage 60 is located in its fully retracted or most right hand position as viewed in Fig. 1, and when the work clamping operation has been completed, it is desirable that the first tool such as the drill TI be brought into alignment with the workpiece W. This is accomplished by the location of the stepping switch arms in their No. 2 position. Thus the contact A2 of the power control section of the stepping relay |40 is connected by means including a wire 3|4 to the wire |85-2 so that the circuit will be extended to the solenoid valve 86-2, thereby to cause the turret or slide 40 to be moved in a forward direction. In the present instance it will be observed that the wire 3|4 extends its connection to the contact A2 by means of a jumper wire 35 which is connected by branches 3&5-2, SI5-6, SI5-9 and SI5-l5 to the contacts A2, A6, A9 and AIS respectively, and the function of these jumper connections will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The contact B2 is connected by a wire 3|1 to the contact 235-4 so that this sensing contact is conditioned for closure when the slide 40 is moved forward to such an extent that the contact 230 engages the contact 235-4. Such engagement takes place when the drill TI is disposed in alignment with the workpiece W, and the action of such circuit closure is to complete an energizing circuit to the stepping relay |50 so as to energize the stepping solenoid |91 and advance the switch arms of the stepping switch |40 to the No. 3 position thereof.

At the time when the sensing circuit to the contact 235-4 is conditioned by engagement of the arm 200B with the contact B2, another circuit is extended from the wire 3|1 by a wire 3|8 which extends to the lower end of the coil I42C of the starting relay |42 so that this starting relay is energized. When this occurs, the operating coil |45?1 of the starting contactor |45 is the motor 29 will operate continuously' in a forward direction so as to drive the spindle 25 in a forward direction until the holding circuit is re'- leased. This holding circuit includes a movable contact |45-3 that engages the-contact |45C, and a wire 320 extends from the contact |45-3 to the contact |44-IU of the reversing relay. Thus, vas will hereinafter become'apparent, the operation of the reversing relay |44 is effectiveto break the holding circuit afforded for the coil-|45Fby the contact |45-3, thereby to enable reversal of the motor 29 to be attained. Thus it willbe clear that during the time when the slide or turret 40 is being advanced to the new position with the contact for determining when the boring operation has ybeen completed. Thus whenfthe contact 220has moved forwardly and into engagement with Athe conditioned sensing contact 225-3, anr energizing circuit will be' completed for the stepping relay |50, and thusl the circuit to the tool TI in alignment with the workpiecefW, the

spindle rotation will have been started, and when the completion of the sensing circuit to the sensing contact 235-3 has been completed, the machine will be in condition for advancingv movement of the carriage 30.- This isv attained' by circuits that are extended from the contact yA3 of the power control section of the'stepping relay.

Thus'when the contact armsof the stepping relay are in their No. 3 positions, the circuit is extended from the contact A3 by means including a wire 322 to the wire |85-8, thereby to energize and open the solenoid Valve 86-8- which is eiective to impart rapid approach `movement to the carriage 60. In the present instance such connection from the contact A2 includes a jumper 323 that is connected by branches 323-3, 323-1 and 323|0 to the contacts A3, A1 and All) rekspectively, andthe purpose of'these additional tion proceeds. k l

At the time when'the rapid approach solenoid SiS-Bis thus energized,` means includinga wire i325 that extends from the contact B3l to the-contact 225-2 serve to condition the sensing contact connections will become apparenty as the descrip- Y 225-2 for its controlling action.r The connection gages the 'sensing contact 225-2,a `circuit will be extended to the steppingfrelay|50 thereby to immediately break the power connection to the solenoidv 86-8 and at the same time energize` the stepping solenoid |91. This yadvances the contact arms of the stepping switch to their No. 4

position, and the next operation of the machine j is thereby immediately instituted.

When the contact arm 200A is thus moved into its No. 4 position, circuit is extended through means including a wire 328'to the feedl solenoid valve 86-9, and this solenoid valve thus causes pressure liquid tovbe fed to the cylinder 10 through the valve '95 ata vcontrolled rate suitable for performance of Athe 'requiredfcuttin'g operations by the tool' T|; In the *present -instance, the wire 328 is connected to thecontact A-4 by means including a jumper wire 329 anda branch 323-4, as will be evident in Fig. 11 `oi. the drawings. i. i

When the arm 200B is in its No. 4 position Vas aforesaid, the circuitis extended from the feed valve 86-3 will be immediately broken, and the solenoid |91 will be energized so as to advance the arms 'of the stepping switch to the No. 5 position thereof. l n l When the arm 200A of the stepping switch engages a contact A5, the circuit is extended by fedl into the left hand end of the cylinder 10 so asl to move the carriage in a reverse or return direction. As will be evident in Fig. 11 of the l drawings, the connection to the contact A5v is effected by means including a jumper 333 andbranch leads 333-5, 333-8 and 333-Il, thevpurpose of such additional branch leads being brought out hereinafter.

At the time when such reverse or return movement of the carriage 60 is thus instituted, circuit is also extended by means including a Wire 335 to thev rear sensingcontact 22S-I, thereby to condition this sensing contact for determining when the withdrawing movement of the slide has been completed. It will be observed in Fig. l1 of the drawings thatA this circuit that extends to the wire Y335 includes a Wire 336 and a jumper 331 that is connected by'branch leads 331-5 and 331-8 to `the contacts B5 and B8 respectively. Thus when the slide 60 has been withdrawn to its most right hand position so as to engage the contact 220 with the conditioned sensing contact 22S-I, the circuit for the stepping relay |50 will be completed so as to break the power circuit to the solenoid valve 86-1 and at the saine time cause the stepping relay |40 to be advanced so that the contacts thereof are disposed in the No. 6 position. n n A When the contact arms of the stepping switch |40 are thusy disposed in the No. 6 position, a power circuit is extended from the contact A6 through thev ybranch connection 3|5-6, the jumper 3|5, the branch 3|5-I6 and the wire 3|4 to the wire |85-2, thereby to energize the solenoid valve 86-2 which causes the turret or slide 40 to b e actuated in a forwarddirection. At this same time, a circuit is extended from the contact B6 through a wire 339 to the contact 235-4,there by to conditionthis sensing contact for ,sensing the attainment of thenext position of the slide 40 wherein the reaming and facing tool T2 will be alignedwith the axis of the workpiece W. When this condition is attained, the contact 230 that is associated with the slide 40 will engage theA conditioned'contact 235-4, thereby to complete an energizing circuit for the stepping relay |50 and this relay will of course break the lenergizing circuit 'from the contact A6 to the valve 86-2 and will complete'a circuit to .the solenoid |91 of the stepping relay so as to advance the` contacts thereof to the No. 7 position.

` When the contact arms of the stepping relay are in the No. 7 position, `a power circuit is extended from theA contact A1 through the branch 323-1, the jumper 323, the branch rS23-l0 and the Wire 322 to the wire |35-8, thereby to energize the rapid approach solenoid valve86-8. At this time, a circuit is also extendedfrom the oontact B1 through the wire 325 to the central contact 225-2, which in this instance is effective to f sense the completion of the reaming and facing operation. In this connection it will be observed that the contact 225-2 is the same one which has heretofore been utilized to sense the completion of the rapid approach movement with respect to the drill T, and in order to enable the contact 225-2 to also serve as a sensing means in connection with the operation of the tool T2, it is essential that the longitudinal relationship between the tools T| and T2 be established with this purpose in mind.

When the reaming and facing operation has been completed, the contact 220 on the carriage 60 engages the conditioned sensing contact 225-2, and this of course completes a circuit to the stepping relay |50 so that the energizing circuit to the rapid approach valve 85-8 will be immediately broken and the stepping relay will be advanced to the No. 8 position. With respect to the operation of the tool T2, it will be observed'that the operations are relatively light and therefore the carriage 60 is fed at the rapid approach speed rather than at the feed speed during the cutting operations. This will of course vary in accordance with the type of work being performed. But in any event, with the control apparatus of the present invention, the desired operation of the carriage at a feed speed may readily be attained through the establishment of the circuits of the character hereinbefore described with respect to the operation of the drill Tl.

When the stepping relay |40 has thus been advanced to position No. 8, a power circuit is established from the contact A8 through the wire 332 to the wire |85-1, thereby to energize the reverse solenoid 86-1 so as to cause the carriage 60 to be withdrawn in a right hand direction as viewed in Fig. 1. At this same time, a circuit is established through the wire 336 and the wire 335 to the sensing contact 225-|, thereby to condition this sensing contact for determining Whenvthe carriage has reached its most rearward position. When the contact 220 on the carriage 80 engages the condition contact 22S-l, the energizing circuit for the stepping relay |50 is completed and the power connection to the solenoid valve 86-1 is broken and the stepping relay is advancedto its No. 9 position. This completes a power circuit through the contact A9, the branch 3| 5-9, the jumper 3|5, the branch 3|5|6 and the wire 3|5 to the solenoid valve 80-2 which causes hydraulic liquid to be fed to the rear end of the cylinder 15, This causes the slide 40 tov be advanced in a forward direction. At the same time, the' circuit is extended through a wire 340 to the sensing contact 235-5, thereby to condition this contact for determining when the slide has moved to such a position that the tap T3 is aligned with the axis of the workpiece W. Thus when the slide 40 has reached this position, the contact 230 engages the conditioned sensing contact 235-5, thereby to energize the stepping relay |50 and cause immediate breaking of the energizing circuit to the valve 86-2 and to cause advancing or stepping of the stepping relay |40 to its No. 10 position.

When the contact arms of the stepping relay |40 are thus disposed in their No. 10 positions, a power circuit is extended from the contact A| from the wire 322 to the wire |85-8, andthis causes the rapid approach solenoid valve 86-8 to be energized. The carriage 60 is therefore advanced at a rapid approach speed toward the workpiece, and it might be noted in this connection that this rapid approach-speed is utilized in the tapping operation. Y -V f In the No. 10 position of the stepping relay a circuit is extended from the contact B|0 through the branch 32E-I0, the jumper 326, the branch 326-1 and the wire 325 to the contact 225-2, thereby to condition the sensing contact 225-2 for determining when the tapping operation has been completed. With respect to the tapping operation, it should be observed that the low pressure relief valve 98 serves to prevent undue endwise feeding pressure upon the tap, and thus proper formation of the threads in the longitudinal opening of the workpiece W is assured. When the completion of the tapping operation has been sensed by engagement of the contact 220 with the yconditioned sensing contact 225-2, a circuit is extended to the stepping relay |50 which immediately breaks the power circuit to the solenoid valve 86-8 and causes advancing or stepping movement of the stepping relay |40 to its No. ll

position.

In the No. 11 position of the stepping relay a power circuit is extended from the contact A|| through the Wire 333-||, the jumper 333, the branch 333-8, the wire 332 to the wire |85-1, thereby to complete an energizing circuit to the carriage return valve -1, and this supplies hydraulic liquid to the left hand end of the carriage actuating cylinder 10 so as to cause return or right hand movement of the carriage. At the time when the return solenoid 86-1 is thus energized to cause return movement of the carriage 60, a circuit -is extended from the contact BI by a wire 342 to the lower end of the operating coil |44C of the reversing relay |44, and this relay is therefore energized so as to cause reversal of the spindle ldriving motor 29. In this respect it will be observed that the contact |44| is in this operation of the reversing relay |44 disengaged from-the contact |44|U so as to break the holding Acircuit for the forward operating coil |45F of the. reversing contactor, and the contact I44| engages the lower contact. |44|L so as to complete an energizing circuit to the operating coil |4513, of the contactor`|45.

f When the reversing relay |44 is thus operated, it serves to -establish a. sensing circuit for determining when the withdrawing. movement of the carriage 60 has been completed. Thus a wire 346 is extended from the contact |44-2L tothe wire 335, which it will be recalled extends to the sensing contact 22S-l. Thus when the return movement of the carriage 60 has been 'completed so as to engage the .contact 220, with the conditioned contact 22S-I, an energizing circuit for the steppingv relay |50 will be completed so as to deenergize the solenoid-valve .B6-1! and cause the stepping relay |`40to be advanced to its No. l2 position.

With respect to the withdrawing movement of the-tap while the stepping relay is inits No. ll position, itshould be observed that the low pressure relief valve` 9L assures that excessive withdrawing pressure willnot be applied to the tap, and hence the threads in the workpiece will not be injured in the withdrawing operation.

When thecontact arms of the stepping relays are thus moved from the No. l1 position to the No. 12 position, it will be-observed that the circuit for the reversing relay |44 willvbe broken, and hence the motor 29 will stop.

When the Contact arms of the stepping relay |40 are disposed in the No. -12 position, a power circuit is extended from the contact A|2 and a wire-348 to the wire |-|,andthis energizes the' solenoid valve 06| so as tovcause hydraulic uquid to be supplied to the forward end of the cylinder 15. This causes the slide 40 to be moved in a rearward direction. The location of the stepping relay in its No. 12 position also extends a circuit from the contact BI2 through a wire SL19 to the contact 23E-I, thereby to condition this sensing contact for determining when the slide IIE has been disposed in its most rearward or unloading position. Thus when the contact 230 engages the conditioned sensing contact `235I, a circuit will be completed to the stepping relay B5B so as to cause the solenoid -valve`864l to be ueenergized and to cause the stepping relay I40 to be advanced to its No. 13 position. l

' In the No. 13 position of the stepping relay, a power circuit is extended fromthe contact AI3 through a wire 350 to the solenoid valve 88-6, thereby to open this valve and cause pressure Huid to be supplied-tothe right hand end ofl the clamp operated cylinder 55. The work clamping jaws are thus moved to their released or unclamped positions, and this unclamped condition is detected by closure of the pressure operated sensingA switch 280 that is associated with thek pipe 89-6. Thus a wire 352 is extended from the contact 280s to this switch to the contact BI3 of the stepping switch, and when the unclamped condition is detected. the'switch 280 extends an n energizing circuit to the stepping relay so as to.

cause the stepping switch to. be advanced to its No. 14 position.

In the No. 14 position of the stepping switch, a power circuit is extended from the contact A14 through a Wire 356 to the Wire I85-3, and this energizes the solenoid valve 863 so as to yfeed pressure liquid to the l'efthand end of thework feed cylinder 38. The related sensing circuitfis at this same time extended from the contact BI4 through a wire 358 to the contact Z55-Land the arrangement or positioning of the contact 255-2 yis such that this Contact will be engaged by the contact 256 at the time when the completed workpiece W has been moved to a position just beyond the end of the jaws 43H. At this position, the completed workpiece will be released so that it may drop downwardly and on to a suitable discharge chute (not shown), and when this occurs, the sensing contact 255-2 will have been engaged so as to complete an energizing circuit to the stepping relay IED. This causes the energizing circuit to the solenoid valve 86-2 to be broken, and at the same time causes the stepping relay |49 to be advanced to its No. 15 position.

1n the No. 15 position of the'stepping relay, ar

circuit is extended from the contact AI5 through the wire 3I4 to the wire I 852, thereby to energize the solenoid valve 86-2. This serves to supply hydraulic liquid to the 'slide operating cylinder 85,`

thereby to move the slide 40 in a forward direction. A circuit is at this same time extended from the contact BIS through a wire 3x60 vto the sensing contact 235-2, thereby to condition this sensing contact for determining when the stop S has been disposed in alignment with the axis of the spindle 25. When this condition is detected by engagement of the contact'230 with the con- 22,' the work feeding cylinder 38, therebytowith'- draw the Work feeding plunger 39 in a left hand direction. yWhen thestepping switch is-in thisV No.f16 position, a circuit is extendedfrom the rcontact BIS through a wire 354 to 'the'c'ontact Z55-I, thereby to condition thissensing contact for determining when the plunger 39 has been' withdrawn to a pointy somewhat to the left of the work supply chute 36, thus to allow the next workpiece to move downwardly-'along tliechute into the path of the plunger 39. When this fully withdrawn condition is detected "by engagement of thecontact 250 with the conditioned sensing contact Z55-I, an energizing circuit is completed to the stepping relay |50 so 'as to break/the ener-y gizing circuit to the valve 85-4 and atthe same time cause advancing movement of the' stepping relay to its No. 17 position. l v

When the contact arms of the'stepping switch are disposed at position I1, a circuit is extended from the contact A11 through Ya conductor 310' to the wire 356 and thence tothe wire I85-3. and this serves to again energize the solenoid valve 86-3 soA as to initiate right hand or' work feeding movement of the work feeding plunger 39. :Thus a new workpiece is moved in an endwiise direction partially out of the lower end of thesupply chute 36, and rthis movement is transmitted to the series of yworkpieces within the spindle 25,

thereby to move'the righthand end of the leadt y ing workpiece W into abutmentwiththe stop` S which is at this time'aligned with the axis of the spindle 25. d' f The location of theswitch arms of the stepping switch in the No. 17 position alsoserves to extend circuit from the contact BI 1 through a wire 312 to the pressureswitch 260 so as to' thereby condition this pressure switch lfor detecting ythe completion of the work advancing movement.

Thus when engagement'of the workpiece with the e stop S causes pressure to be built up in the pipe 89-3, the switch 250 is closed and an energizing circuit Ais completed to the stepping relay |50. This of course yacts to breakthe energizing connectionfor the solenoid valve 86-3 while atthe Sametime causing the stepping switch to advance to its No. 18 position.

The workpiece W is thereby disposed in position to be clamped in the manner hereinbefore described, and means are therefore effective to cause the stepping switch to advance through what may betermed an idle movement until the contact arms thereof return to the No. 1 position thereof. For this purpose, afjumper 314 that is grounded at 315 is connected in parallel with the contacts VBH3 to B24 inclusive by means such as y branch leads 31A-I. n Hence Vthe stepping relay |50 will be energized when the contact arms are shifted or advanced in the manner above described to the No. 18 position, and such advancing movements will be repeated as the contact arms y are successsively positioned in positions I9 to 24 inclusive. Thus the stepping switch will automatically return to its No. 1 position and the cycle of operations above described will be repeated.

It Will be evident that the control apparatus ofthe present invention may be readily and easily set up for different kinds and sizes of work and for the performance of different working operations and cycles with respect thereto; Such revision of the setup requires only that an analysis of the desired cycle be made, that the sensing means be adjusted, and that power control circuits and sensing controlk circuits be con- 23 nected with the contacts Arand B of the stepping switch in accordance with such analysis.

For purposes of disclosure the invention has been embodied in an automatic turret lathe, but the broad applicability and flexibility of the control apparatus of the present invention is such that similar automatic control may be readily attained in respect to a wide variety of automatic apparatus or machines that fall in arts other than the machine tool art.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modication and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the fol-- lowing claim:

I claim:

In an actuating and control apparatus for an automatic machine which has a plurality of independently operable mechanisms each operable through one or more working movements, independent power means for actuating each of the operative mechanisms of such a machine through the desired Working movements thereof, independent sensing means sensingthe completion of such Working movements, a stepping switch having a plurality of control positions in which said switch may be successively set and embodying a power control section and a sensing control section each of which has control contacts in each of said control positions, said control positions being allocated in succession to said working movements in the order in which they are to occur in a machine cycle, and the control contact in the power control section at each position having a power circuit extended therefrom and operatively associated with the related power' means to cause operation thereof through the working movements to which such position is allocated and the control contact in the sensing control section of each position being operatively associated ywith the related sensing means to condition the same for sensing the completion of the working movement to which the position is allocated, operating means'for imparting stepping movements to said stepping switch, a stepping relay having normally closed contacts included in series with each such power circuit and having normally open contacts affording a circuit for causing operation of said operating means, and an energizing circuit for said stepping relay arranged for closure under control of the effective one of said sensing means to thereby break the effective power circuit and cause advancing of said stepping switch from one position to another.

ROBERT H. HILL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 379,577 Horton Mar, 20, 1888 1,527,791 Flandersl Feb. 24, 1925 2,116,376 K Anderson May 3, 1938 2,155,573 Wells Apr. 25, 1939 2,289,957 Godfriaux July 14, 1942 2,343,375 Herman Mar. 7, 1944 2,348,908 Jacobs May 16, 1944 2,352,184 Bullard June 27, 1944 2,384,809 Bullard et al Sept. 18, 1945 2,427,493 Bullard Sept. 16, 1947 2,445,544 Trautman July 20, 1948 

